Do Not Be Daunted
Hymn composed by
Lynn HarrisonContextual information
“Do Not Be Daunted” was written in 2021 based on a familiar quotation often attributed simply to “The Talmud”: “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly now, love mercy now, walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” The composer writes: “Although I was not raised in the Jewish tradition, like so many others I have been inspired and supported by these timeless words, which originated in passages from the Pirke Avot (wisdom of the Jewish sages). In an effort to accurately cite the source of the lyrics, I consulted with Rabbi Rami Shapiro, whose interpretation of the texts is thought to be instrumental in the arising of the quote. He was pleased to see the words set to music and declined to take credit for the words of wisdom.”
“Do Not Be Daunted” was written in 2021 based on a familiar quotation often attributed simply to “The Talmud”: “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly now, love mercy now, walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” The composer writes: “Although I was not raised in the Jewish tradition, like so many others I have been inspired and supported by these timeless words, which originated in passages from the Pirke Avot (wisdom of the Jewish sages). In an effort to accurately cite the source of the lyrics, I consulted with Rabbi Rami Shapiro, whose interpretation of the texts is thought to be instrumental in the arising of the quote. He was pleased to see the words set to music and declined to take credit for the words of wisdom.”
Tune Name
[Do not be Daunted]
Tune Name
Text Meter
Irregular
10.9.10.9
Song Composer
Lynn HarrisonHymn Arranger
Composer Background information
Rev. Lynn Harrison (she/her) is a Unitarian Universalist minister and singer-songwriter in Toronto, Ontario. She served as Associate Minister at First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto from 2016 to 2023 and now provides regular guest preaching and music leadership for the Don Heights and Durham congregations. Lynn is a singer-songwriter with deep roots in the Canadian/American roots music traditions (she's also a dual citizen, born in Dallas TX) and has released seven independent solo recordings.
Lyricist Background information
Arranger Background information
Adam Sakiyama (he/him) is a composer/lyricist and music director working primarily in musical theatre.
Lyrics
Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief.
Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief.
Do justly now,
love mercy now,
go humbly now.
You need not complete the work, but you must not abandon it.
You need not complete the work, but you must not abandon it.
Do justly now,
love mercy now,
go humbly now.
Do justly now,
love mercy now,
go humbly now.
Resources
Music XML and MEI and MIDI and Musescore files